HCM City suggests support for COVID-19-hit lonely old persons, orphans hinh anh 1Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said on December 30 that it has submitted a proposal on providing support for lonely senior citizens and orphans hit by the COVID-19 pandemic to the municipal People’s Committee.

Accordingly, the total cost is estimated at nearly 16.8 billion VND (730,000 USD) each year, benefiting over 380 lonely old persons and over 2,200 orphans.

Specifically, the city will issue free health insurance cards and offer an allowance of 480,000 VND for those aged above 60 each month, and 700,000 VND for those aged above 70. Orphans will receive free education till high school level, vocational training and free health insurance cards.

Orphans under four years old will obtain 1 million each per month and those aged above four will receive 700,000 VND.

Recently, individuals and organisations at home and abroad have also provided scholarships for orphans and presented gifts to the elderly in the city./.

VNA